WASHINGTON — Today, Hip Hop Caucus President and CEO Rev. Lennox Yearwood Jr. issued the following statement in support of the upcoming week of action against Cop City in Atlanta, Georgia:
“Hip Hop Caucus joins with activists, organizers, faith leaders and the Atlanta community who are calling for a stop to Cop City, defending the Weelaunee Forest in Atlanta, Georgia, and honoring the life of environmental activist Tortuguita who was killed by Atlanta police in January. Hip Hop Caucus is proud to support the upcoming week of action to stop Cop City, for it is with all of our collective power that we can ensure that Cop City will never be built.
Police violence and environmental activism are intimately connected not only through the power dynamics of economics, but also in the way they disproportionately threaten the ability for Black and Brown people to breathe and thrive. Replacing the nation’s largest urban forest with the largest militarized police training facility in North America would be a resounding moral and strategic failure felt for generations to come.
For years, people have made it clear that they do not want Cop City. Its existence would both intensify violence against Black and Brown communities and exacerbate climate and environmental issues like flooding, heatwaves, and pollution in Atlanta communities. The notions that increased policing makes us safer and that deforestation does not harm our environment are erroneous and cannot stand.
Hip Hop Caucus will continue to fight for our health, our safety, and our planet, and we won’t rest until the voices of the people are heard.”
About Hip Hop Caucus
Formed in 2004, the Hip Hop Caucus (HHC) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that leverages Hip Hop culture to encourage young people to participate in the democratic process. Through a collaborative leadership network, HHC addresses core issues affecting underserved communities. HHC programs and campaigns support solution-driven community organizing led by today’s young leaders.
